GECs
SABe TV turns 2 on 23 April; launching new shows on DD Metro, Udaya
Three new dailies from the Sri Adhikari Brothers stable will start beaming on Doordarshan Metro beginning 30 April. A bi-weekly thriller, produced by SABTNL, will start beaming on Sun TV’s Kannada language channel Udaya TV at the same time.
The new shows are part of the SABTNL’s plan to supply an additional six hours of programming per week to Doordarshan and increase the total programming hours on DD to nearly 14 hours per week. SABTNL has currently been supplying content for nearly seven hours per week to DD and its regional channels.
The three new dailies on DD Metro include two thrillers, Hello Inspector and The Trap. While Hello Inspector will consist of one off episodes focusing on the world of crime, The Trap will be a continuous story. Kunti, a woman oriented soap, goes on air around the same time. All half hour daily shows, they will be beamed during DD Metro’s prime time, says SABTNL chairman Gautam Adhikari. Both The Trap and Hello Inspector star Ravi Krishan in the lead role, while actress Deepshikha plays the female lead in The Trap. SABTNL has opted for a new face as the lead of Kunti, though.
The channel that turns two on 23 April, is beefing up its own programming with a daily supernatural soap. Directed by Adhikari himself, the serial will be telecast Mondays to Thursdays at 8:30 pm. A daily comedy, to be directed by Kanchan Adhikari, will also take off shortly.
The supply of fresh software to the pubcaster follows DD’s decision to reduce its telecasting fees and waive the compulsory spot buy schemes. The company can expect to double its revenues from DD alone to touch nearly Rs 600 million by the end of the current fiscal. Suraag, which completes three years on DD National this May, has been among the content provider’s most successful shows, netting TRPs of nearly 10 every week. It was Suraag, says Adhikari, that managed to dethrone mythologicals from the top of the TRP charts for Doordarshan.
GECs
Samsung TV Plus launches Kings of Comedy channel
New free FAST channel brings iconic Hindi comedy shows to millions of Samsung Smart TV owners.
MUMBAI: Samsung TV Plus has just turned up the laughter volume and it’s completely free. The leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service in India has launched Kings of Comedy, a premium comedy channel featuring some of the country’s most beloved primetime shows. Available exclusively on Samsung TV Plus, the channel delivers back-to-back hits including Comedy Nights with Kapil, Khatra Khatra Khatra, and Comedy Nights Bachao, with no login or subscription required.
The launch marks a milestone for free streaming in India, offering audiences a dedicated comedy destination directly from their Samsung TV home screen. It arrives as Samsung TV Plus India celebrates its 5th anniversary, during which the service has grown its monthly active users by 42 per cent and more than doubled its total viewing hours. The platform now offers over 180 free channels across 14 languages.
Samsung TV Plus India general manager and head of business development Kunal Mehta said, “Comedy is the heartbeat of Hindi entertainment, and Kings of Comedy brings together the shows Indians already love, completely free on their Samsung TV. Our focus remains the same take the content people know and make it effortless to access.”
Globally, Samsung TV Plus has surpassed 100 million monthly active users across more than 4,500 channels, solidifying its position as one of the world’s leading free streaming services.
Kings of Comedy is now available on all compatible Samsung Smart TVs. For viewers seeking non-stop laughter without any cost, this new channel delivers a royal treat proving that sometimes the best entertainment really does come with no strings (or subscriptions) attached.
